What I wish I'd known about raising a child with autism : a mom and a psychologist offer heartfelt guidance for the first five years / Bobbi Sheahan and Kathy DeOrnellas.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 217-227) and index.

Preface. - 1. Our journey from cluelessness to partial enlightenment. - 2. Autism 101. - 3. In the beginning. - 4. The causes of autism. - 5. The basics ... with a twist of autism. 6. My kid, she's not much of a talker. - 7. My, what a high pain tolerance you have... and what sensitive ears. - 8. What can I do about these weird behaviors? - 9. Reading, writing and lining up her toys. - 10. If I've told you once, I've told you a million times! - 11. My child and other people. - 12. Talk about it. - 13. There is no finish line. - Afterword. - Bobbi's annotated bibliography.

"Bobbi Sheahan, mother of a child with autism, and psychologist Kathy DeOrnellas, Ph.D., did not write this book to lecture you on how to parent your child. Instead, they offer themselves as your scouts in the field, who have valuable information to share--from the moment you realize your kid is different ('My, what a quiet baby you have!'), to the self-righteous moms on the playground, to holding your marriage together in the realm of routines. Throughout the book, Bobbi's heartwarmingly humorous 'What I wish I'd Known' sections offer sincere parent-to-parent advice. Shaded sections by Dr. DeOrnalles provide additional information based on her rich professional experience and research, supported with lists of references."--P. [4] of cover.